What To Do After Microneedling
They say that scars last forever.
But “they” haven’t tried microneedling, a minimally invasive procedure designed to fade scars by stimulating collagen production.
Our bodies produce less collagen as we get older, a protein that keeps the skin plump, bright, and hydrated. But luckily, there’s a way we can stimulate collagen production: Micro-injuries.
This forms the basis of microneedling. How does it work? The device creates small injuries using tiny needles. Then, your body works to heal those injuries by producing collagen. It’s a simple, fast, and effective way to treat scars and wrinkles.
The result? A visible reduction in scarring, a more even skin tone, and a brighter complexion. Your skin will appear revitalized.
Just like any procedure, your skin needs extra care during the healing process. Here’s how to take great care of your skin after a microneedling session to ensure the best results:
What To Expect: The Week After
Before your first microneedling treatment, you might feel a bit nervous. What should you expect after your treatment? Here’s how your skin will change in the coming days and weeks:
Day 1: Right after your appointment, your skin will appear red and irritated. We know—you might feel a little self-conscious about your skin the day after your appointment. However, it’s important not to wear makeup. Let your skin breathe! It’s normal to have redness and skin irritation on the treated skin; you may feel like you have a mild sunburn. Don’t worry: This is part of the natural inflammatory process that your skin will go through as it heals. In addition, avoid intense exercise and saunas.
Day 2: Most of your skin’s redness will have faded by this point. By now, you may notice dryness or sensitivity. Treat your skin with extra care and moisturize frequently (try using a serum with hyaluronic acid!)
Day 3-6: Dead skin cells will begin to see skin peel slightly to reveal the glowing skin beneath. Let the skin slough off naturally; don’t use an abrasive product to try and remove it. Again, stay on top of your moisturizing routine. Most of the irritation will be gone by this point, and you’ll begin seeing the difference in your skin.
Day 7+: Now that your skin has healed (at least on the surface), you’ll start to see the transformation that microneedling creates. You will continue to see improvements over 2-3 months as collagen is stimulated.
With each appointment, you’ll notice even better results. You can schedule a follow-up session after 4 weeks.
Proper Aftercare
You want to maximize the benefits of your microneedling treatment. While your skin heals, what can you do to take the best possible care of it?
It all has to do with your skincare routine. Treat your skin with extra care, and your results will be better for it. You’ll also speed up the healing process, so you can enjoy your glowing skin sooner.
To get the most out of every session, take note of these tips:
Minimize sun exposure!
UV rays from the sun won’t create micro-injuries—they’ll cause lasting damage to your skin. Not the kind that heals scars but creates them.
When you go outside, wear a wide-brimmed hat, and slather on plenty of sunscreen to protect your skin. Choose a product with at least SPF 15 (but preferably higher than SPF 30).
You should always keep your skin safe from direct sunlight, but take extra precautions in the 2 weeks following your microneedling appointment.
Makeup?
Try to refrain from covering up your skin while it heals. Otherwise, the makeup will clog your exposed pores, leading to a potential breakout or infection.
Wait at least 48 hours after a microneedling procedure before applying any makeup. This gives your skin the time it needs to recover post-treatment.
We recommend using mineral makeup, which doesn’t cause irritation or inflammation in the skin.
Use gentle facial products
Don’t put your skin through more stress than it needs! While it’s healing from a microneedling procedure, avoid any harsh acne treatments (like Accutane or retinoid creams). You don’t want to apply anything acidic to your sensitive skin, so stay away from toners and harsh cleansers. And you definitely don’t want to exfoliate!
Instead, use a gentle cleanser with natural ingredients. Try to pick one that’s fragrance-free; harsh scents will irritate your skin. Moisturize often to help your skin heal, especially during the dry and flaking phase of healing.
Other treatments to avoid
When your skin is inflamed, your first instinct is to try and bring down the swelling. But after microneedling, anti-inflammatory products work against you.
You might reach for ibuprofen or NSAIDs. Try to avoid it! This will interfere with the effects of microneedling. Let your body recover naturally to see the best results. Avoid anti-inflammatory medications for at least one week after your treatment.
Or you might try to apply ice. Again, this interferes with your body’s healing process. Let it do its thing, and you’ll be glad you waited.
If you’re concerned that your prescriptions may interfere with microneedling treatments, talk to your doctor about your medical history before booking an appointment.
Book Your Microneedling Appointment Today!
Microneedling (also known as collagen induction therapy) rejuvenates your skin, giving you:
Firmer skin
Diminished fine lines and wrinkles
Reduction in scarring
Bright, glowing skin
Intrigued about microneedling? Now that you know how to care for your skin, you’re ready to book your first appointment.
At Spotless Laser Medical Aesthetics, we use SkinPen, a medical-grade microneedling device designed to diminish fine lines, scars, and wrinkles. You’ll be amazed at the difference a boost in collagen production makes for your skin.
Shrink your pores, reverse the signs of aging, and fall in love with your skin again with microneedling. Ready to book our microneedling services? Contact Spotless Laser today!